Stabilizers for propane cylinders

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a stabilizer for a pressurized gas cylinder characterized by a cylindrical wall having a diameter d c  and a convex bottom having a curvature radius r c , comprising a molded shipping device characterized by a bottom and a top, 
     the top having (a) an upper surface, (b) a downwardly projecting recess, relative to said upper surface, adapted to receive the gas cylinder, the recess comprising a cylindrical wall having a diameter, d s , approximately equal to d c , terminating in a concave surface having a curvature radius, r s , that is approximately equal to or greater than r c , and (c) external walls projecting downwardly from the upper surface; 
     the bottom having (a) a lower surface; (b) a plurality of feet protruding from the lower surface, wherein the bottom of the feet are molded to receive the upper surface of the top whereby a plurality of devices can be stably stacked. Surprisingly, it has been found that stabilizers of the claimed configuration are exceedingly stable for transporting pressurized gas cylinders and the like, even at high speeds. Advantageously, the stabilizer is hollow and, accordingly, exceedingly light weight.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Propane is typically sold in tanks of different sizes that contain different quantities of propane. These tanks are frequently sold to individuals for personal use in gas grills or for supplying the fuel for gas logs in a home. One of the most popular sizes of propane tanks is a 20 lb. tank which contains approximately 20 pounds of propane fuel. These tanks are difficult to handle and transport because they are unwieldy, heavy and frequently need to be placed in the trunk of a car or in the bed of a pick-up truck for transport. The shape of the tanks is substantially cylindrical, with the height being greater than the diameter. The propane tank is frequently stood upright for transport, however, unless otherwise restrained, the cylindrical shape of the tank causes it to tip over and the roll around the car or truck uncontrolled, which can be a potential safety hazard.

Pressurized gases are normally stored in cylindrical tanks having a bottom end on which they normally stand and an upper end to which the outlet valve is attached. In many cases these tanks are tall and slim and when in use are normally supported by a suitable frame. However, in the case of propane tanks, particularly small propane tanks, designated as 20 pound tanks, the tank is still cylindrical but is almost spherical. It is provided with a foot in the form of an annulus attached to the lower portion of the tank. These small propane tanks are quite commonly transported, either for refilling or from place to place for supplying gas barbeques or on job sites where they are used, for example, by plumbers and roofers to provide suitable work heat or by other tradesmen for use as local heaters. In these cases, the tank may be stood on its foot and suitable controls, valves, etc. attached to the upper outlet of the tank. In any of these situations, whether being transported or being used with heating equipment attached to the upper end, the tank is not very stable since the annular collar mounted on the lower end of the tank is substantially smaller than the outer diameter of the tank. In some cases this is of no importance, but if the tank is being transported it is essential that it be stabilized so that it cannot inadvertently fall over. Similarly, when in use with heating equipment directly attached to the tank, particularly in outdoor locations, some means must be provided for stabilizing the tank.

In the past, one solution to this problem has been to suitably form a corrugated cardboard box which snugly fits the tank, and extends part way up the cylinder. Naturally, if the box is square, it will be necessary to either have the box fit the cylinder so snugly that the sides of the cylinder engage the sides of the box, or folded portions of the box can fill in the corners and help to stabilize the tank. It is evident, however, that this solution is at best temporary. A corrugated box when subjected to travel soon loses its shape and particularly if it is also subjected to moisture, as in a case where the tank is being used as a portable heat source. If the corrugated cardboard container softens and the tank rolls over, it may be extremely hazardous, particularly in locations where the user is operating, for example, on a building site surrounded by flammable materials.

Therefore, what is needed is a lightweight and easy to use device to facilitate handling of a propane tank, while also providing the required stability to transport a propane tank on the bed of a pick-up truck or in the trunk or rear of a vehicle. It is, therefore, the purpose of this invention to provide an improved tank stabilizer which is reusable, sturdy and sufficiently weatherproof to permit outside use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a stabilizer for a pressurized gas cylinder characterized by a cylindrical wall having a diameter d_(c) and a convex bottom having a curvature radius r_(c), comprising a molded shipping device characterized by a bottom and a top, the top having (a) an upper surface, (b) a downwardly projecting recess, relative to said upper surface, adapted to receive the gas cylinder, the recess comprising a cylindrical wall having a diameter, d_(s), approximately equal to d_(c), terminating in a concave surface having a curvature radius, r_(s), that is approximately equal to or greater than r_(c), and (c) external walls projecting downwardly from the upper surface;

the bottom having (a) a lower surface; (b) a plurality of feet protruding from the lower surface, wherein the bottom of the feet are molded to receive the upper surface of the top whereby a plurality of devices can be stably stacked. Surprisingly, it has been found that stabilizers of the claimed configuration are exceedingly stable for transporting pressurized gas cylinders and the like, even at high speeds. Advantageously, the stabilizer is hollow and, accordingly, exceedingly light weight.

The design of the stabilizer results in the suspension of the cylinder on a cushion of air space between the upper and lower molded sections of high density plastics or other suitable material necessary to create the form fitted shock absorbing pod into which the tank rests for transport. This shock absorbing function is the key and primary utility that differentiates our invention from others where the bottom of the tank may be held in place. This device incorporates a shock absorbing feature “air suspension” to reduce the bounce effect of a tank being transported where the bottom of a tank is in direct contact with the transport platform and associated shocks from bumps and other road irregularities causing a tank to be thrown from its holding device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are 3D Views showing propane tank in phantom for environment, 1B further shows the interior lines for the cylinder and recess.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation.

FIG. 3 is a LSide/RSide/Rear elevation.

FIG. 4 is a Top Plan view.

FIG. 5 is a Bottom Plan view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A description of preferred embodiments of the invention follows.

The invention relates to a stabilizer for a pressurized gas cylinder. Referring to the figures, the stabilizer (1) for stabilizing a pressurized gas cylinder characterized by a cylindrical wall (21) having a diameter d_(c) and a convex bottom (22) having a curvature radius r_(c), comprising a molded shipping device characterized by a bottom (12) and a top (11).

The top (11) has (a) an upper surface (3), (b) a downwardly projecting recess (4), relative to said upper surface, adapted to receive the gas cylinder (2), the recess comprising a cylindrical wall (5) having a diameter, d_(s), approximately equal to d_(c) or about 12.25 inches, terminating in a concave surface (6) having a curvature radius, r_(s), that is approximately equal to or greater than r_(c), and (c) external walls (7) projecting downwardly from the upper surface (3). Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the recess (4) is further characterized by a depression (9) in the concave surface (6). The depression can preferably be annular and can be contiguous or not. The depression can permit the retention of air upon seating the cylinder in the recess. The concave surface can be a portion or all of the bottom of the recess. For example, the floor (10) of the recess can also be concave, having the same or different curvature radius as r_(c) and/or r_(s), or it can planar.

The bottom (12) has (a) a lower surface (13); (b) a plurality of feet (14) (such as three, four, five or more, preferably four) protruding from the lower surface (1 3). The bottoms of the feet (14) are molded to receive the upper surface of the top whereby a plurality of devices can be stably stacked. Accordingly, the bottom of the feet can be molded to incorporate a recess (15) corresponding to the shape of and to receive the corresponding corner (8) of the top (11). Protrusions (16) can optionally be incorporated into the feet as well.

As shown in the figures, the stabilizer can be molded into a substantially square shape and the bottom has four feet disposed at the corners of the square. The sides of the square can incorporate curves or other decorative features.

The bottom and top of the stabilizer can be advantageously made from two molded pieces. For example, the bottom of the stabilizer can be contained in a bottom piece snap-fitted to a top piece containing the top. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the line where the top and bottom pieces meet at line (23). Note that the top piece incorporates a portion of the feet and the bottom piece incorporates a portion of the external wall (7). Thus, it is intended that the invention not be construed as requiring any piece (top or bottom) which recites the presence of an element (e.g., a foot or external wall) to entirely contain the entire structure of that element. The total height of the stabilizer can be less than or equal to 6 inches, permitting a low profile, easy to store device.

The top and bottom pieces are preferably snap-fitted together. Conveniently, the external wall 97) of the top piece (11) terminates in a first radially protruding lip (17) and the bottom piece is characterized by external walls (18) projecting upwardly from the bottom piece, terminating in a second radially protruding lip (19), wherein said first and second radially protruding lips are adapted to engage. The lips can engage, for example, by incorporating holes or recesses (25) in one lip (FIG. 4) and mating protrusions (26) in the other lip (FIG. 5). Other embodiments can also be envisioned.

The invention also contemplates incorporating into the upper surface (3) of the top (11) a ring (26) surrounding the recess which can be adapted to receive an advertisement. The apparatus configured to mold the stabilizer can be configured to receive a plurality of molds to facilitate a quick adaption of the advertisement. This will permit a specific distributor of the device to mark the device as desired. The ring (26) can protrude above the upper surface (3). Advantageously, the lower surface (13) can be configured with a corresponding recess (27), such as an annular depression, of approximately the same size and orientation as the ring (26) so that the recess (27) can receive the ring (26) on stacking a plurality of the devices.

The device is preferably molded and can be made from any sturdy plastic, including recycled plastics, such as polyethylene terephthalate and the like. In embodiments, the feet of the device can be coated with or have incorporated therein a material to increase friction. Sand, for example, can be advanatageously used.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. 

1. A stabilizer for a pressurized gas cylinder characterized by a cylindrical wall having a diameter d_(c) and a convex bottom having a curvature radius r_(c), comprising a molded shipping device characterized by a bottom and a top, the top having (a) an upper surface, (b) a downwardly projecting recess, relative to said upper surface, adapted to receive the gas cylinder, the recess comprising a cylindrical wall having a diameter, d_(s), approximately equal to d_(c), terminating in a concave surface having a curvature radius, r_(s), that is approximately equal to or greater than r_(c), and (c) external walls projecting downwardly from the upper surface; the bottom having (a) a lower surface; (b) a plurality of feet protruding from the lower surface, wherein the bottom of the feet are molded to receive the upper surface of the top whereby a plurality of devices can be stably stacked.
 2. A stabilizer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the molded shipping device is hollow.
 3. A stabilizer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the top is substantially square and the bottom has four feet disposed at the corners of the square.
 4. A stabilizer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the recess is further characterized by an annular depression in the concave surface.
 5. A stabilizer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bottom is contained in a bottom piece snap-fitted to a top piece containing the top.
 6. A stabilizer as claimed in claim 5, wherein the external wall of the top piece terminates in a first radially protruding lip and the bottom piece is characterized by external walls projecting upwardly from the bottom piece, terminating in a second radially protruding lip, wherein said first and second radially protruding lips are adapted to engage.
 7. A stabilizer as claimed in claim 6, wherein the upper surface of the top is characterized by a ring surrounding the recess which can be adapted to receive an advertisement.
 8. A stabilizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein d_(s) is about 12.25 inches and the height of the stabilizer is less than 6 inches. 